Strike action over the bank holiday due to go ahead at...

Strike action over the bank holiday due to go ahead at Luton Airport

Baggage handlers at Luton Airport have voted to reject a new pay offer from their employer Menzies Aviation which workers say fails to recognise their hard work and the rising cost of living.

Unite has agreed to attend further negotiations with Menzies tomorrow (Thursday 24 May).

Strike action by workers employed by Menzies Aviation is due to begin at 3am Saturday 26 May until 2pm Sunday 27 May.

Unite regional officer Jeff Hodge said: “Unite has agreed to attend further negotiations with Menzies on Thursday (24 May) but in order to resolve this dispute Menzies must recognise workers’ hard-work and the rising cost of living.

“In April passenger numbers grew to 1.3 million people at Luton. That’s 15 months in a row of over a million passengers passing through the airport. Baggage handlers at Luton Airport deserve a decent rate of pay for their contribution to the business.”

79 per cent of workers that took part in the ballot rejected the new pay offer from Menzies.

Workers including firefighters and security guards employed by London Luton Airport postponed their planned industrial action which was due to commence on Friday 25 May. London Luton airport has made a revised offer and the workforce will vote on whether to accept or reject the offer.

ENDS

Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest trade union with over 1.4 million members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Len McCluskey.